THE ECOFREAK ELYSIUM.
CONNECTIVITY The Utopian Vision I propose takes place in Vancouver, BC. This is due to the fact that this city already shows significant steps towards implementing more “green” architecture, yet it is not one of the largest cities in the world and would therefore make an effective test subject for such an experiment, eventually to be deployed somewhere extremely dense and in need of relief. My project seeks to focus on both accessibility and sustainability. The objective is to implement a network of highly suspended greenery paths throughout the city, linking several significant areas, as shown on the map. By connecting local parks, libraries, and public gathering spaces, it allows people to easily walk from one place to the next without the bothersome aspect of car, foot, and bike traffic.
1
SUSTAINABILITY Through the integration of these walkways into the city, which already has an infrastructure for having multiple green roofs and vertical sustainability building, the city can become completely connected through these growing paths. In the scaling of the system, there would be enough opportunity for widespread use and therefore the creation of more energy. For instance, in the beginning, the energy generated by initial walkers on a few strips of greenery may only produce enough electricity to power lights along the paths. As time goes on, the promenades would increase both in number of routes and in daily foot traffic. This could lead to the generation of enough electricity to start powering facilities at the local parks and community centers, and eventually connect to other sustainable methods along the grid. As the efficiency of the network grows, the consumption of less renewable sources of energy that cause pollution and environmental waste would lessen. The advantages produced by these interventions would be threefold: assist in converting the city to a more accessible, walkable place by assuring that ramps and connections are integrated into all paths, facilitate the use of a consolidated, con-free production of energy to encourage sustainability practices, and lastly, to encourage exercise and mindfulness on these green paths.
2
ADAPTABILITY As for public transit in Vancouver, there is always room for improvement. While many city-dwellers and commuters in Canada opt for public transportation like trains, metros, or buses, there is not a surplus of routes that runs through the city. In fact, there are only two lines that barely supersede into the downtown area. With the addition of the walking paths, this will also allow for travelers to adapt to more physical ways of getting to where they need to go. The hassle of the weaving walk through dangerous roads ad scarce bike lanes is eliminated with the integration of these paths. Not only do they provide an elevated surface devoid of the crowded mingling below, but they also foster a beautiful scenic stroll- one that offers both greenery and cityscape as part of its welcome. Once these more enticing factors are paired with the knowledge that their choosing of this route produces energy that goes back to the betterment of the city, it makes the desire to walk everywhere a permanent first choice.
3
PRODUCTIVITY These green networks will not just serve as paths of accessibility for all city residents and visitors, but the act of the exercise will also seek to generate energy. After reading about the company Pavagen, a British clean-tech company, I have learned that it is becoming increasingly possible to capture energy produced by exercise. The technology is basically a flooring system that uses wireless transmitters to harness kinetic energy as people walk. As pedestrians travel over the walkway, the pressure causes pieces in the flooring to vertically displace. Through electromagnetic induction, a kinetic energy is produced and can be converted into a small amount of electricity. According to an environmental impact report, the emission of air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion is the “major cause of urban air pollution.” This is an increasingly worrisome factor, especially in more densely packed cities, where the air is actually becoming unsafe for its residents to consume. In hopes of creating a better future, we must focus on the environment and in instilling more renewable energy sources, particularly in our cities.
4
modular integration
speakers activated by footfall
powers street lights
recycled materials
custom top sheet
powers outlet charging
wireless data output
easy install
ACCESSIBILITY While these outlandish figure that weave through the city may seem other-worldly and intimidating, perhaps even dangerous, the goal of their construction is to be beneficial to all citizens. This includes those that may be disabled or who have difficulties in any function. There are inclined ramps set up for each structure’s entrance, as well as elevators at select locations. The exercise helps to power speakers which can guide someone with vision issues as well as lighting which may assist the auditory impaired. The texture of the mixed green-stone ground and wooden railing also provide significant tactile assistance. In a perfect future, the obstacles that exist for those who are disabled will be as minimized as possible, and the first step is to integrate inclusivity into new production.
5
FEASIBILITY The reason that Vancouver would be an efficient place to begin incorporating this eco-wild nervous system is because the city has already shown itself to be sustainability conscious and interesting in its exploration. On the northeastern shore of the water rests the Vancouver Convention Center, an architectural program which both embraces the downtown street grid and weaves together elements of urban planning, sustainability, and ecosystem design. It basically created its own little world among a bustling city street, a structure which removes you from the group while still connecting you to the earth. Another important note about Vancouver is that its city government just enacted a policy in which green roofs are to be included into the construction of a multitude of new buildings. Their ability to soak up rain, which decreases sewage overflows, to absorb greenhouse gases, and to clean the air of pollutants, helps to mitigate climate change. The rest of the world could benefit from these positive aspects by increasing the implementation of green roofs and by creating the proposed green pathways.
ROOF
PROGRAM
ENCLOSURE
6
GROUND FORM
utopian manifesto.
building cities. kate halsey.
Works Cited Alik. “Pavegen Tiles: Harvesting Energy from Footsteps.” Insight IEEE, Alik, 2 Dec. 2021, https://insight.ieeesbnitdgp.com/PavegenTiles/. ArcGIS Web Application, https://maps.vancouver.ca/vanmap-viewer/. Creighton, Jolene. “New Flooring Tech Generates Electricity through Your Footsteps.” Futurism, Futurism, 31 Oct. 2016, https://futurism.com/new-flooring-tech-generates-electricity-through-your-footsteps. Cruickshank, Ainslie. “Vancouver to Develop Green Roof Policy.” Thestar.com, 26 July 2018, https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/07/25/vancouver-to-develop-green-roof-policy.html#:~:text=VANCOUVER%E2%80%94The%20City%20of%20Vancouver,several%20benefits%20of%20green%20roofs. DEI Creative in Seattle, WA. “Vancouver Convention Centre West.” LMN Architects, 12 Apr. 2022, https://lmnarchitects.com/project/vancouver-convention-centre-west. “Environmental Impact of Energy.” European Environment Agency, 14 Feb. 2017, https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/environmental-impact-of-energy#:~:text=The%20environmental%20problems%20directly%20relatedcause%20of%20urban%20air%20pollution. Gannon, Devin. “Pavegen Opens World’s First ‘Smart Street’ to Generate Electricity from Footsteps.” 6sqft, 5 July 2017, https://www.6sqft.com/pavegen-opensworlds-first-smart-street-which-generates-electricity-from-footsteps/. “How Vancouver Greened Its Waterfront: LMN Architects Seattle.” LMN Architects, 4 Oct. 2019, https://lmnarchitects.com/case-study/vancouver-greened-waterfront. Krittika Jayachandran. “Characteristics of Utopian Architecture - RTF: Rethinking the Future.” RTF | Rethinking The Future, 17 Jan. 2022, https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-styles/a2616-characteristics-of-utopian-architecture/. Overstreet, Kaley, et al. ArchDaily, 27 Nov. 2020, https://www.archdaily.com/tag/utopia. “Vancouver Convention Centre West.” Vancouver Convention Centre West | AIA Top Ten, 1 Apr. 1970, https://www.aiatopten.org/node/105. Welch, Adrian, and Isabelle Lomholt. “Vancouver Convention Centre West Building - e-Architect.” e, 9 July 2021, https://www.e-architect.com/canada/vancouver-convention-centre-west.